Radio clock system



Oct. 11, 1932. c. F. MQCANN RADIO CLOCK SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 29, 1926 abbozneq Oct. 11, 1932. C F, MCCANN RADIO CLOCK SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 29, 1926 gwucntor F/Q. Z

Li -i Patented Oct. 11, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLYDE IF/MCCANN, 01'' SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA RADIO CLOCK SYSTEM:

Application filed May 29, 1926. Serial No. 112,595..

This invention relates to radio clock systems, and particularly to a system, such that a master clock in a central station will control by means of radio waves, any number of clocks within the zone of the central station, these receiving clocks at all times indicating the exact hour and minute of the central station clock.

An object of the invention is to provide a system wherein a movement is to be efiected at a distance by using a transmitting agent, such as electricity, transmittin its effect by Hertzian waves, and the repro uction of the actual movement by a current of a local source of electricity.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system having synchronizing mechanism adapted to be utilized in connection with clocks, by Hertzian waves transmitted through space from a central station at which a master or controlclock is located.

With these and other objects in view which maybe incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessar elements comprising my invention, may e varied in construction, proportions and arrangement, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practical effect, without limiting the improvements in their useful appli-- cations to the particular constructions, which for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a transmitting circuit and its aerial, connected to a motor driven alternating current generator through a master clock;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a receiving circuit and its antenna connected to a receiving clock, and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Reference is to be had to the drawings,

and particularly to Fig. 1, in which is illustrated a transmitting circuit comprising a simple continuous wave vacuum tube transmitter having an antenna circuit consisting of an aerial 1 grounded, as indicated at 2, with a variable inductance 3 and a condenser a interposed,

A direct current generator 5 supplies the power to produce a continuous radio wavetrain. One terminal of the generator is connected by a line 6 through a choke coil 7 to the antenna circuit between the aerial 1 and the variable inductance 3. The other terminal of the generator 5 is connected by a line 8 through an A battery 9, to the antenna circuit between the ground 2 and the condenser 4. A power vacuum tube 10 has its plate 11 connected by a lead 12 tap ed from the line 6 so as to interpose the c oke coil '2 between the tap and the generator 5. The filament 13 of the tube 10 is connected across the A battery 9 by a lead 14 tapped from the line 8, and a lead 15 tapped from the line 8 between the generator 5 and the A battery 9, the lead 15 having interposed a variable resistance 16.

The grid 17 (if the power vacuum tube 10 is connected by a line 18 having a variable connection to the inductance 3. The line 18 has interposed a condenser 19 and the secondaries of two transformers 20 and 21. Across the grid 17 and the filament 13 is connected a grid leak resistance 22 and a choke coil 23 between the lines 8 and 18. The primaries of the transformer 20 and 21 are connected by leads 24, 25, 26 and 27 to binding posts 28, 29, 30 and 31.

A constant speed motor 32 drives a shaft 33.. Connected on the shaft 33 are two alternating current generators 34 and 35. The generator 34 has its stator wound with twelve coil sets arranged side by side along the brought out to twelve individual binding posts 38 which are connected by lines 39 to twelve individual arcuate contacts 40 arranged upon the face of the dial 41 of a master clock 42. The contacts 40 represent a twelve hour period of time and are adapted to be engaged successively by an hour hand 43. The hour hand 43 brushes across the contacts 40 and is connected by a line 44 to the binding post 29.

It will be noted that as the hour hand brushes over the contacts 40 it acts as a frequency switch, successively cutting off one generator frequency and making contact with another. The make and break with the contact is effected as the hour hand passes across the hour marks indicated by the numerals one to twelve, both inclusive, on the face of the dial. As contact is made and retained between the hour hand and any one of the contacts 40 throughout the period of an hour, the generator frequency of that particular hour is delivered to the primary of the transformer 21, and this action is successively repeated.

The alternating current generator 35 has its stator wound with sixty coil sets arranged side by side along the shaft 33, each coil set being wound with the proper number of poles to produce a different frequency of alternating current, such frequencies being higher than the frequencies produced by the coil sets in the generator 34. One end of each of the coils in the generator 35 is joined to a common neutral brought out to and connected with a binding post 45. The binding post 45 is connected by a line 46 to the binding post 30.

The other ends of the sixty coil sets are brought out to and connected with sixty individual binding posts 47 connected by lines 48 to sixty individual arcuate contacts 49 mounted upon the dial 41 of the master clock in juxtaposition to the contacts 40. The contacts 49 each represent a period of one minute of time and are arranged for engagement successively by a minute hand 50 which brushes across a contact in a one minute period.

The minute hand 50 is connected by a line 51 to the binding post 31 and acts as a frequency switch successively cutting off one generator frequency and making contact with another. Thus throughout the period of sixty minutes of time sixty different genhand of the master clock. These alternating current frequencies are reproduced in the secondaries at a suitable voltage to operate the grid 17. The combined voltages of the two different frequencies in the secondaries 20 and 21 are impressed upon the grid and modulate the outgoing continuous wavetrain of the transmitting circuit so that the aerial radiates a modulated train of waves, made up at all times of a combination of the two frequencies impressed upon the transformers 20 and 21, representing the hour and minute indicated by the master clock 42.

The receiving circuit comprises an antenna circuit and a. secondary circuit. The antenna circuit consists of an aerial 52, grounded as indicated at 53, with a variable inductance 54 interposed. The secondary circuit consists of a Variable secondary inductance 55 connected at one end 56 by a line 57 to one terminal of an A battery 58, the other terminal of which is connected by a line 59 to a binding post 60.

A vacuum tube detector 61 having the usual filament 62, plate 63, and grid 64 is connected in the secondary circuit. The filament circuit is connected across the A battery 58 by a lead 65 tapped from the line 57 and connected to the filament 62, and a lead 66 tapped from the line 59 and connected to the filament, with a variable re sistance 67 interposed. The plate 63 of the vacuum tube 61 is connected by a line 68 to one terminal of a B battery 69, the other terminal of which is connected by a line 70 to a binding post 71. The grid 64 of the vacuum tube 61 is connected by a line 72 to the variable secondary inductance 55, and has interposed a condenser 73. Across the grid 64 and the filament 62 is connected a grid leak resistance 74 tapped from the lines 57 and 72.

A receiving clock 75 is provided with a base 76 numerically calibrated to indicate a twelve hour period of time. Mounted upon the base 76. is a circular magnet having two poles 77 and 78 consisting of flat rings. The poles are connected by an integral circular band 79. The pole 77 is larger than the pole 78 and is formed upon the band 79 in such relation to the pole 78 as to extend its outer and inner circumierences beyond the outer and inner circumferences of the pole 78. The circumferences of both poles are equally spaced with respect to each other. Wound upon the band 79 between the poles 77 and 78 is a coil 80. The ends of the coil 80 are brought out and connected to binding posts 81 and 82 which are connected by lines 83 and 84 to the binding posts 60 and 71, respectively.

Arranged upon the inner circumference of the pole 77 are twelve reeds or vibrators 85, each of which is tuned to a different freuency which causes it to vibrate when the requency with which it is tuned pases through the coil 80. The twelve reeds or vibrators 85 are so spaced and arranged as to place a reed opposite each of the twelve numerical calibrations on the base indicating the twelve hour periods of time.

In like manner, reeds or vibrators 86 are mounted upon the periphery of the pole 77. There are sixt reeds or vibrators 86 each tuned to a di erent frequency. Each reed or vibrator is caused to vibrate when the frequency with which it is tuned passes through the coil 80. Each of the reeds or vibrators 86 indicate a. minute period of time, and are so arranged in relation to the reeds or vibrators 85a'nd in respect to each other. The reeds or vibrators 86 are tuned to a higher frequency than" the reeds or vibra tors 85.

It is to be noted that each reed in the two series of reeds 85 and 86 has an individual tuning. This is essential, since the two frequencies of current in the coil determine which two reeds shall vibrate to indicate the hour and minute. The B battery 69 supplies the necessary power to operate the reeds or vibrators, the 1 current being modulated by the voltage induced on the grid by the incoming radio waves from the transmitter.

While I have shown and described a simple continuous wave vacuum tube transmitting circuit, and a simple tube detector receiving circuit, it is to be clearly understood that such circuits have been chosen for their simplicity by way of illustration'rather than for their efliciency. Therefore, I do not limit myself to the exact transmitting and receivin circuits described.

ile I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of m invention, I wish itto be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein'set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or exceedlng the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A radio clock system comprising a time controlling instrument having a series of electrical transmitting units, each unit adapted to transmit a Wave of a certain frequency, and a reception device comprising a plurality of fixedly arranged receiving unlts in responsive relation to the transmission units.

2. A radio-control broadcasting system comprising means for coordinating definite intervals of time with corresponding electrical currents of corresponding definite .freouencies, means for changing said electrical currents into modulated radio waves of corresponding frequencies and individual means successively res nsive to the corresponding frequencies of t e modulated radio waves ar ranged to represent mechanical movement at definite space intervals.

3. A radio timebroadcasting system comprising means for coordinating definite intervals of time with corresponding definite space intervals by mechanical motion, means for-synchronizing the mechanical motion of definite space intervals into electrical currents of correspondin definite frequencies, means for changing t c said electrical currents into modulated radio waves of corresponding frequencies and individual means successively responsive to the corresponding definite frequency of electrical currents ar ranged to represent mechanical movement at definite space intervals indicating time.

4. A radio clock system comprising, a receiving clock comprising an electro-magnet and a plurality of vibrators responsive to different frequencies arranged to represent time intervals.

5. A radio clock system comprising, a receiving clock comprising an electro-magnet adapted to be actuated by different electrical frequencies, a plurality of vibrators mounted upon the periphery and the inner circumference of the electro-magnet, and each vibrator tuned to a different frequency to indicate time.

6. A radio clock system comprising, a receiving clock comprising a base, an electromagnet mounted upon the base and adapted to be magnetized by a plurality of different wave frequencies, a plurality of vibrators mounted upon one pole of the magnet'adjacent to the base, the vibrators arranged upon the periphery and the inner circumference of the electro-magnet in spaced relation,

the vibrators tuned to different frequencies and calibrations indicating time.

7. A clock comprising, a plurality of means fixedl arranged to represent intervals of time or indicating time and means to operate the indicating means by Hertzian waves of different frequencies.

8. A radio clock system comprising, a time controlling device, means operated by the time controlling device to transmit Waves of different frequency corresponding to intervals of time and a plurality of means fixedly arranged to represent time intervals, successively operated by the waves to indicate time.

9. A radio clock system comprising a time controlling device, a series of electrical transmitting devices to transmit waves of different frequency corresponding to intervals of time, means to afford reception of. the Waves and a plurality of means fixedly arranged to represent intervals of time and successively operated by the reception means to indicate time.

10. A radio clock system com rising,

' intervals for receiving the waves successively to indicate time.

11. A radio controlled clock comprising, means for receiving a continuous train of radio waves broadcasted from a central time broadcasting station, said radio wave tram at all times comprising a plurality of radio waves of a definite modulated frequency representing the hour and minute of time, means for changing said modulated radio waves of definite frequenc into corresponding electrical currents o definite frequency, means for changing the electrical currents of definite frequency into corresponding mechanical movement of frequencies arranged to represent intervals of time for indicating time.

12. A radio time broadcasting system comprising, a master clock equipped with a series of segments corresponding to definite hours and minutes of time, a generator designed to supply an electrical current of corresponding definite frequency connected to each se ment, the hour and minute members or ban 5 of the master clock progressing and making electrical contact with their respect1ve series of segments, thereby switching on and off the corresponding electrical currents of definite frequencies representing the particular hour and minute of time, and means to convert said electrical currents of definite frequencies into corresponding modulated radio waves of definite frequencies representing intervals of time registered by the master clock. 7

13. A radio clock system comprising, a master clock, means for changing the me chanical motion of the hour and minute mem' bers of the master clock into corresponding electrical currents of definite frequencies representing respectively the hour and minute of time, means for changing the electrical currents of definite frequencies into correspond ing modulated radio waves of definite frequencies, means for reverting the modulated radio waves of definite frequencles lnto corresponding electrical currents of definite frequencies, and means for changing the elec-' trical currents of definite frequencies into corresponding mechanical vibrations representing intervals of time for indicating time.

14. A radio control system comprising means for coordinating definite intervals of time with corresponding definite space inter- Vals, means for synchronizing said mechanical movement with electric currents of cor responding definite frequencies, means for changing the electrical currents into modulated radio waves of corresponding frequencies, means for reverting the modulated radio waves into electrical currents of corresponding definite frequencies, devices representing intervals of time and means for changing the resulting electrical currents into corressponding definite mechanical movements of the devices representing intervals of time.

15. A radio clock system comprising-means for coordinating definite intervals of time with corresponding definite space intervals by mechanical motion, means for synchronizing the mechanical motion of definite space intervals with electrical currents of corre' .frequencies on the devices representing intervals of time.

16. A radio clock system comprising a master clock equipped with hour and minute members and a series of segments corresponding to hours and minutes of time, a generator supplying an electrical current of correspending definite frequency connected to the series of segments, the hour and minute members'being designed to make electrical contact with their respective segments thereby switching on and off the corresponding definite currents representing the particular hour and minute of time, a radio wave transmitting set designed to transmit a radio wave modulated by impressed frequencies of electrical currents corresponding to the hour and minute of time operated by the. electric currents of definite frequencies, a vacuum tube receiving set adapted to revert the modulated radio waves into electrical currents of definite frequencies corresponding to the hours and minutes of time, an electromagnetic device, a plurality of tuned reeds, the electrical currents of definite frequencies in turn actuating the electromagnetic device to reproduce the currents in corresponding frequencies of visible mechanical vibration on the tuned reeds.

A radio time broadcasting system comprising a master clock equipped with hour and minute members and a series of segments corresponding to hours and minutes 'of time, a generator supplying an electrical current of corresponding definite frequencies connected to each segment, the hour and minute,

members of the master clock making electrical contact with their respective series'of segments thereby intermittently switching the corresponding definite currents, a radio wave transmitting set designed to transmit a radio wave modulated by the impressed frequencies of electrical currents operated by the electric currents of definite frequency.

18. A radio controlled receiving system comprising means for changing modulated radio waves of definite frequencies representing intervals of time into electrical currents of corresponding definite frequencies, devices representing intervals of time and means for changing said electrical currents into successively corresponding definite mechanical motions of the devices arranged to represent time intervals for indicating time.

19. A radio receiving clock comprising means for changing modulated radio waves of definite frequencies representing intervals of time into corresponding electrical currents of definite frequencies, devices representing intervals of time, means for changing the electrical currents of definite frequencies into successive visible mechanical vibrations of corresponding definite frequencies on the devices arranged to represent time intervals for indicating time.

20. A radio receiving clock comprising a vacuum tube receiving set designed to reproduce incoming modulated radio waves of definite frequencies representing intervals of time, in the form of electrical currents of corresponding frequencies, tuned reeds arranged to represent time intervals,an electromagnetic device designed to reproduce the currents in the form of corresponding visible mechanical vibrations of the tuned reeds.

21. A directly operating electrical control system comprising means for producing mechanical movement of definite space intervals, means for synchronizing said mechanical movement of the definite space intervals with corresponding electrical currents of definite frequencie's, devices representing intervals of time, means for changing'said electrical currents into corresponding definite mechanical motions of the devices arranged to represent time intervals for indicating time.

22. A directly operated electrical clock system comprising means for coordinating definite intervals of time with corresponding definite space intervals by mechanical motion, means for synchronizing the mechanical motion of the definite space intervals into electrical currents of corresponding definite frequencies, devices representing intervals of time, means for changing said electrical currents into visible mechanical motions of the devices arranged to represent time intervals for indicating time.

23. A directly operated electrical clock system comprising a master clock having hour and minute members and a series of seg ments corresponding to designations of hours and minutes of time, a generator designed to supply an electrical current of corresponding definite frequency connected to each segment, the hour and minute members of the master clock making electrical contact with the respective series of segments thereby switching on and off the corresponding definite currents representing hours and minutes of time, tuned reeds arranged to represent time intervals, an electromagnetic receiving clock designed to reproduce the currents in the form of visible mechanical vibrations of the tuned reeds of corresponding frequencies.

24. A radio clock system comprising a master clock equipped with hour and minute members and a series of segments corresponding to definite hours and minutes of time, a generator designed to supply an electrical current of corresponding definite frequency connected to each segment, the hour and minute members or hands of the master clock progressing and making electrical contact with their respective series of segments, thereby switching on and oif the corresponding definite electrical currents representing the particular hour and minute of time.

25. A radio clock system comprising a master clock having a dial, an hour hand, a minute hand, a plurality of arcuate contacts arranged to form a double annulus on theface of the dial, sources of alternating current of definite difierent frequencies connected to each of the contacts, outgoing operatin lines connected from the hour and minute ands respectively, the hour hand contacting with and brushing across the contacts of the inner annulus successively, and the minute hand contacting with and brush ing across the contacts of the outer annulus successively, whereby the currents may be switched to the outgoing operating lines.

26. In a radio clock system, means to transmit Hertzian Waves at definite frequencies corresponding to intervals of time, devices representing time intervals successively tuned tothe corresponding frequencies of the Hertzian waves to indicate time, and means for receiving the waves on said devices representing time intervals successively tuned to the corresponding frequencies of the Hertzian waves to indicate time.

27. A radio clock system comprising, means for changing definite intervals of time into corresponding definite space intervals by mechanical motion, means for changing the mechanical motion of definite space intervals into corresponding electrical currents of definite frequencies, means for changing the electrical current of definite frequencies int-o corresponding modulated radio waves of definite frequencies, means for reverting the modulated radio waves of definite frequencies into corresponding electrical currents of definite frequencies, devices representing intervals of time, means for changing the electrical currents of definite frequencies into corresponding mechanical vibrations of the devices arranged to represent time intervals for indicating time.

28. A radio controlled clock comprising, means for receiving a continuous train of modulated radio waves of definite frequencies broadcasted from a central time broadcasting station, said radio wave train at all times comprising a plurality of modulated radio waves of definite frequencies, one modulated radio Wave of definite frequency representing the hour of time and another modulated radio Wave of definite frequency representing the minute of time, means for changing said modulated radio Waves of definite frequencies into corresponding elec- 10 trical currents of definite frequencies, de-

vices arranged to represent intervals of time for indicating time, means for changing the electrical currents of definite frequencies into corresponding mechanical vibrations on said devices.

29. A radio controlled clock comprising, means for receiving a continuous, train of modulated radio Waves of definite frequencies broadcasted from a central time broadcasting station, said radio Wave train at all times comprising modulated radio Waves of two definite frequencies, one radio wave representing the hour of time and the other representing the minute of time, means for changing said modulated radio Waves of definite frequencies into corresponding electrical currents of definite frequencies, selectively tuned reeds arranged to represent intervals of time for indicating time, an electromagnetic device designed to reproduce the currents in the form of mechanical vibrations corresponding to the definite frequencies of the selectively tuned reeds.

30. A directly operated electrical clock system comprising, a master clock, means for changing the mechanical motion of the hour and minute members of the master clock into electrical currents of corresponding definite frequencies representing respectively the hour and minute of time, a receiving time indicating clock, devices arranged to represent intervals of time for indicating time, means associated with the receiving clock for changing electrical currents of definite frequencies into corresponding mechanical vibration of said devices.

31. A radio time broadcasting system comprising, a master clock, means for changing the mechanical motion of the hour and minute members of the master clock into corresponding electrical currents of definite frequencles representing respectively the hour and minute of time, a radio Wave transmittlng set operated by the electric currents of definite frequencies designed to transmit modulated radio Waves of corresponding definlte frequencies representing the successive intervals of time registered by the master clock.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CLYDE F. MCCANN. 

